How Bristol Palin Ruined Dancing with the Stars and Why Nicki Minaj Tanked American Idol

Reality Television bores me now, but what really angers me is when television shows pretend to be honest contests when they’re really all a pre-determined setup from the get-go, just as we have indelibly learned this week with Bristol Palin’s horrible — but she’s staying! — routine on Dancing with the Stars; as well as Nicki Minaj’s fake meltdown with Mariah Carey on American Idol… which hasn’t even officially aired yet!

Websites like Vote for the Worst tend to take credit for contestants like Bristol Palin beating the odds and staying when it is really all about contractual agreements set in stone before the first dance begins:

They said it was impossible… She’s by far the worst dancer; She’s has the personality of a rock; She’s as likeable as the plague. But it doesn’t matter as VFTW and The Tea Party have done it once again as not only was Bristol safe, she wasn’t even in jeopardy! Meanwhile, VFTW and Bristol knocked off Joey Fatone, who even as the worst dancer in N’Sync can dance circles around Bristol.

Continue reading → How Bristol Palin Ruined Dancing with the Stars and Why Nicki Minaj Tanked American Idol

Cheryl Cole was Simon Cowell's Waterloo

I’ve suffered through the debut week of the X Factor and I can confidently say the show is a dud.  We’ve seen it all before.  The show is formulaic and treacly and I now understand why Cheryl Cole was fired.

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Why Jerry Lewis is Right About American Idol and Reality Television

I am a Jerry Lewis fan.  Sure, he’s an ancient, 85-year-old, egomaniac, but the guy has made some important movies, and he dedicated his life to trying to help find a cure for muscular dystrophy.  He did something while others — smarter, richer, and younger others — did nothing.  I admire his guts and stamina.  Jerry Lewis does not give in or give up.

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American Idol 10 is a Disappointing Dudfest

American Idol, Season 10, debuted last night.  What a dudfest.  Jennifer Lopez didn’t want to send anyone home or make any sort of interesting criticism or correction.  Steven Tyler leered at the women and made inappropriate comments to an — admittedly annoying and cloying — 16-year-old female contestant.  Randy Jackson was as dull as ever.  This is how American Idol begins its end.

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Glee? Karaoke!

I have done my best to avoid the television show “Glee” because I wasn’t interested in anything high school or Madonna or Britney.

Continue reading → Glee? Karaoke!

Leonard Cohen and the Hallelujah Lyric

SuperGenius is born in a moment of blinding beauty and then propagated in flashes of inspiration from one mind to another.

When those sparks ignite in a rapid-fire movement, a REM-like sleep flutters across a community of open minds, a new standard is set, a fresh meme is forever created, and the originator of the beauty becomes immortal.

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American Idol Tune Dropping and Tone Deafness

I am a big fan of American Idol, but I cannot get over the fact that so few of the contestants that make it to Hollywood can carry a tune and how so many contestants — and fans! — are tone deaf.

Continue reading → American Idol Tune Dropping and Tone Deafness